Iafrate retires after chronic knee injuries
RALEIGH, N.C. - Defenseman Al Iafrate retired Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998 after 13 seasons in the NHL and less than two months since the Hurricanes acquired him in hopes he could renew a career hampered by chronic knee injuries. The Hurricanes took a chance on the 32-year-old in July, signing him to a salary loaded with incentives. But the club said Iafrate - a four-time all-star with a 105-mph slap shot - hasn't responded well to rehabilitation. Iafrate may try another comeback. He intends to have another knee operation and take more time to rehabilitate his knee, president and general manager Jim Rutherford said. But he will forgo his contract with the Hurricanes. Al was drafted 4th overall by the Maple Leafs in 1984, and played that year as an 18-year old rookie. He missed the 94-95 and 95-96 seasons with knee injuries and came back with the Sharks in 96-97. He had a career-high PIM total of 237 in 90-91 with the Leafs and Capitals.

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